Blending machine and method



July l, 1958 A. J. cosMETTo BLENDING MACHINE AND METHOD 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April l2, 1954 INVENTOR. lfsdme Ji 605026Z@ Juy l, i958 A. J. COSMETTO 2,841,370

BLENDING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Apfl 12, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 1958 A. J. cosMET-ro 2,841,370

BLENDING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed April 12, 1954 s sheets-sheet s IN V EN TOR.

ad Mia/y ATTOHN'EYS Unite States 2,341,370 Patented July 1, 1958 Cece BLENDING MACFiliE AND METHOD Aristodeme J. Cosmetto, Rye, N. Y.

Application April 12, 1954, Serial No. 422,327

' 17 Claims. (ci. 2s9-s9) This invention relates to material mixing or blending devices and method and more particularly to such devices adapted to be used in blending wet or dry materials normally difficult to mix.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary or tumbler type blending mill having equi-radially spaced containers which when rotated tumble the contents thereof in a novel manner so as to provide a more effective blending of the material, representing the practical application of the laboratory method of hand blending known as quartering, which consists in repeatedly splitting an initially non-homogeneous mass along an ever changing axis, and recombining the portions thus obtained in an ever varying manner.

lt is another object of the present invention to provide a blending mill of the above type including means for imparting intermittent rotary motion to the containers, the angular velocity of this motion varying from zero to a maximum and vice versa, and effecting thereby a more efficient mixing of the container contents than would be effected by continuous motion.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a blending mill of the above type which embodies a practical application of the mathematical curve known as the epicycloid, this being the curve traced by a point on a circle as the latter revolves on the outside of another xed circle.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a blending mill bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, has a minimum number of parts, is easy to use and etlicient in operation.

For other objects and a'better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to lthe following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which: i

Figure l is a perspective View of a blending mill embodying the features of the present invention with one of the containers shown partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a motion diagram illustrating the manner in which the intermittent rotary motion is imparted to the device by the application of the mathematical curve known as the epicycloid;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the drive mechanism of the device;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View showing the initial disposition of the contents of the mill;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the disposition of the contents after one-third of the cycle;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 4 but showing the disposition of the contents after two-thirds of the cycle;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 4 showing the disposition of the contents after one complete cycle;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the disposition of the contents after one and one-third cycles;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the disposition ofthe contents after one and two-thirds cycles;

Fig. l0 is a top plan View of a modified form of the present invention shown partly broken away; and

Fig. l1 is a diagrammatic view showing a still further modied form of the present invention. v

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, in which similar reference numerals identify corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a blending device referred to collectively as 1t) and including a base 11, substantially as illustrated.

The base 11 is provided with suitable countersunk openings 12 by means of which it may be tixedly mounted upon a supporting surface and is integrally formed along one longitudinal edge with a vertical supporting member 13. Brackets 14 and 15 are integrally formed along the lateral edges of base 11 and the sides of member 13, serving to reinforce the latter.

A bearing 16 is integrally formed with a right angle bracket 17 by means of which it is suitably secured to the face of member 13 adjacent the base 11, while the brace 15 is integrally formed with a bearing 18 aligned with the bearing 16.

A shaft 19 is rotatably mounted in bearings 16 and 18, a sleeve 20 secured to one end of shaft 19 by means of a set screw 21 preventing displacement of shaft 19 through bearing 16 in one direction, while a manually operable dial or wheel 22 suitably secured to the other end of the shaft prevents displacement of the latter through bearing 18 in the other direction, the wheel 22 serving to impart angular motion to shaft 19 when desired. A worm 23 is iixedly carried by the shaft 19 intermediate bearings 18 and 16.

The upper end of member 13 is provided with an opening which receives a bolt 24, the head of bolt 24, not shown, being disposed adjacent the face of member 13 remote from base 11, as shown in Fig. l. A segment gear 2S having a hub 26 is rotatably mounted on bolt 24 and secured thereon by nut 27, the segment gear 25 being provided with teeth 28 which mesh with the worm 23, substantially as illustrated.

The side of segment gear 2S remote from teeth 28 is integrally formed with a lateral extension 2S, the top edge of extension 2S at each end thereof being integrally formed with upwardly extending arms 29 and 3i) which terminate in bearings 31 and 32, respectively, the bearings 31 and 32 being aligned longitudinally with each other.

A shaft 33 is rotatably mounted in bearings 31 and 32, longitudinal displacement of the shaft 33 through bearing 32 in one direction being prevented by a sleeve 34 secured to the shaft 33 by means of a set screw 35 (see Fig. 3).

A container comprising leg portions 36, 37 and 38 is secured to the other end of shaft 33 in suitable manner by means of a hub 39. The leg portions 37 and 38 are of frustro-cylindrical form relatively disposed with their cylindrical axes intersecting. Thus, the plane of juncture between the cylindrical legs 37 and 38 is disposed at an acute angle to the cylindrical axis of each leg 37 and 38, the lline of juncture connection between the leg portions 37 and 3S being effected by suitable means, as for example welding 4d. 'The apex of leg portions 37 and 38 is truncated and the inner end of cylindrical member 36 secured thereto by means of welding 41, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be noted that the longitudinal axes of the three leg portions 36, 37 and 3S are disposed 120 degrees apart, in other words, the cylindrical portions are equally spaced radially.

The inner ends of the cylindrical leg portions 36, 37 and 38 are open, effecting communication between the three cylinders for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear. The outer ends of the leg portions 36, 37 and 38 are provided with covers 42 hingedly mounted at 43, the sides of covers 42 remote from hinges 43 being position, is received within an A mechanism, referredto collectively as 49, ismounted on platform 46 and shaft 33.V Thepurpose of the mechanism 49 is Vto produce an intermittent rotary motion which Vwill start and stop the driven shaft 33 without shock and yet'k'eep it under positiveV control throughout the cycle. Thus, the leg portions 36, 37 and 38 will have imparted thereto rotary motion, the angular velocity of whichrvar- Vies from Vzero to a maximum and vice versa, each *legV portion rotating throu-gh 12() degrees in anV intermittentV manner. This motion is obtained Yby the practical application of the mathematical curve known as the epicycloid, which is the curve traced by a point on a circle as the latter revolves on the outside VVof another fixed circle.

Tests have Vshown that the mixing or blending of differentpowders or material is much lmore Aefliciently achieved. when Vthe aforesaid intermittent rotation is ap' plied to 'the leg portions36, 37 and 38 as compared with continuous rotary motion.

The mechanism 49 includes a motor Y50 mounted at I one end of platform '46 and connected to aspeed reducer 51 by means of a connector 52, as shown in Fig. 3. A speed regulator 53 is provided. A driver gear 54 is mounted on the output shaft 55 of reducer. 51.

A sleeve 56 is secured to shaft 33 adjacentv bearing 31 by means of a pin57, the sleeve 56 being integrally side remote from leg portions 36, 37 and 3,8. Sunl gear 59 having a hub 6d is rotatably mounted on shaft 33 adjacent sleeve 56 and column 58, the sleeve or hub 60 on the side remote from sleeve 56 being integrally formed with an 'elongated sleeve 61. The -gear 59, hub 60-and sleeve 61 are free to rotate relative to the shaft 33 and column 58. Y

Alocking disc 62 is lixedly mounted on theV end ofV sleeve 61 remote from gear 59 by means of an integrally formed hub 63Vand a set screw 64., asV shown` in Fig. 3.

A .sleeve 65 is rotatably mounted on sleeve V61 intermediate gear 59 and disc '62 and is integrally formed with a gear 66, the gear 66 being in mesh with the driven gear. 54. The face of gear'66 adjacent gear V59 is integrally formed with a gearing 67,V the longitudinal axis of which is parallel to shaft 33. A shaft 6g is rotatably 69 will also revolve about shaft 33iaround the periphery j VYvelocity greater than that of the gear'54., beyond this' i formed with anradial, three-sided column 58 openon its mounted within bearing '67, one end ofV shaft 65 extending I beyond bearing 67 toward column 58. 'A planetary -gear 69 is xedly'mounted on this extended end of shaft 68, as shown in Fig. 3, the planetary gear 69 beingV inY mesh with tlhegear 59. The radius of planetary gear 69 is one-third that of gear 59 for a hereinafter become clear.

A crank arm 72 is fixedly secured to 69, vsubstantially as illustrated.

The crank arm 72 rotatably mounts a pin 73', the longitudinal axis of which lies on the pitch circle Yof gear 59 for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear. A roller .'75 is rotatably mounted on the end ofv pin473' within columnwSS.

VThus, the gear 54 which revolves at arcontinuous constant rate drives gear 69. Y

A release pin 103 is slidably mounted within a'bearing member 104, the latter being iixedly mounted by. bracket 105. The pinV 163, when in its lower, operative planetary gear the'disc 64,1ockinggear 59.

=In operation, with the pin 103 within opening 106, the

drive shaft and gear 54 impart continuous rotary :tno-Y tion-to gear 6,6. The sun gear 59, it will be noted, is

locked by pin 103and is therefore forced to remain stapurpose which willopening 106 provided inV an angle to Vthe horizontal by rotation of wheel 22 which rotates gear 2.5 about bolt 24.by means of worm 23, when Y 4 tionary. Thus, the planetary gear 69 is forced by gear 66 to revolve around sun gear 59, and in so doing forces roller 75 to describe an epicycloidal curve, thus impartrotation of planetary gear 69.in a clockwise direction f about shaft 68, the planetary gear 69 being `shown in broken lines diagrammatically in Fig. 2. Since the sleeve is rotatably mounted on Vsleeve 61,-the planetary gear of iixed gear 59. Since Vthe radius of gear 69 is onerevolutions about shaft 63 per revolution about shaft '33, and fixed gear 59, as shown in Fig. 2.

The pinV 73 is also shown in broken lines in Fig. 2, it being noted that the center of pin 73 lires on the pitch circle of fixed gear 59. Thus, during the revolution ofY planetary gear 69 about fixed gear 59, theipin 73 and roller 75 will follow the epicycloids A, B and C, shown in Fig. 2. The column 5S is driven by roller 75, to drive shaft 33 with the desired intermittentrotary or indexing motion. A

Thus, it will be seen from Fig."2, that the centers of' pin 73' and roller 75,7trace the Yepicycloids A, B and C shown by the broken curves. As thedriver gear 54 rotates, the angular velocity of the centers of the pin 73 and roller 75 and thereby the column 58 gradually increase from the zero points D, E and F, reaching a maximumrangular maximum point the angular velocity of the roller'and pin centers and the column 58 gradually being reduced again to zero in `the manner indicated'. Sincerthre planetary gear is one-third the diameter of gear 59, three such epicycloid paths A, B and C Voccur during each revolution of the gear 69 about gear 59. Thus, cach of the leg portions 37, 36 and 33,starting from the zero position of Fig.V l, will rotate through one hundred twenty degrees,

the angular velocity increasing from zero to a maximumV halfway through the one hundred twenty degrees and then decreasing again to zero at the end of the one hundred twenty degree movement.

Tests' have shown that theaforesaid intermittent rotaryV motion, theV angular velocity of which varies from zero to a maximum and vice versa results in a more intimate and,Y eflicient mixing of material than would be thecase ifV merely `continuous motion were applied, as will herein-Y after be explained more in detail. Y y

i The Vshaft 33 and associated partsnmay be inclined at vsuch angulation is desired.

i Figs. 4 through 9 show successive vstages during the mixing process. position of thedevice (seeFig.v l) VwithY a black powder x disposed in leg'portion 37 and `a white powder y `disposed within leg portion 3S. After one-third of a revolution,

the portion 37 movesY up to the position formerly occupied by` portion Y36, as shown in Fig. 5. YThis causes the maY terial x to drop downwardly and to separateequally into portions 36 and 38. Thus, portion 36 contains oneehalf x while portion 37 contains y plus one-half x. Upon a further one-third revolution, as shown in Fig. 6, the portion 38 moves Vup to the inverted vertical position and the contents thereof become equallyV distributed between portions 36 and 37, due totgravity. Thus, the portion 36 contains one-half y plus three-quarter x while portion 37 Y contains one-half y plus one-quarter x. It will be appar-Y ent that as the process is continued and the portions 36 37 and-.38 continue to rotate in the aforesaid manner that the material disposed in the two lowermost portions will ultimately become equally distributed and of substantially ForV example, VFigyll shows the zero in each container will approach the percentage of xv in the same container, as will be obvious. It will be appreciated however, that the Vabove mathematical description of the blending is'only approximated in practice, because of other factors.

Some materials, however, due to their density and other physical properties will be more eiciently mixed when the device rotates continuously. To switch the device from intermittent rotary motion of the aforesaid type to continuous rotary motion, it is only necessary to remove release pin 103 from opening 166. This releases locking disc 62 and thereby sun gear 59. Under operating conditions, the gear 66 will drive planetary gear 69 around the sun gear 59 until the centerline of roller 75 assumes a neutral position relative to the axis of crank shaft 68. The entire assembly of gear 59, gear 65, roller 75, crank arm 72 and planetary gear 68 then becomes self-locking and drives column 58 and shaft 33 at the same constant angular velocity of Vgear 65.

To convert the mechanism againrto intermittent rotary motion, it is only necessary to insert the pin 133 into opening 106 in disc 62, as will be obvious.V

Referring now particularly to Fig, l0, there is shown a modified form of the present invention, referred to collectively as a, and differing from the first form in the replacement of the mechanism 49 by a mechanism 49a adapted for continuous motion only and in the addition of means for breaking up large masses of material at the juncture of the leg portions 36, 37 and 38.

In this form the base lla now ixedly supports a platform 46a by means of a vertical member, not shown, the member 11a being integrally formed with brackets 14a and 15a which support the aforesaid vertical member. The vertical member is provided at its top edge with bearings 31a and 32a vertically spaced above the platform 46a and which rotatably mount a shaft 33. A sleeve 34 is xedly secured to shaft 33 at one end and prevents longitudinal displacement of the latter through bearing 32a in one direction.

The leg portions 36, 37 and 38 are again mounted at the other end of shaft 33 adjacent bearing 31a byV means of hub 39 suitably secured to the shaft 33, as in the rst form.

The mechanism 49a includes the motor 54B `connected to the speed reducer 51 by means of connector 52, a speed regulator 53 being provided. The drive gear 54 is fixedly carried on output shaft 55 of reducer 51 and is in mesh with a driven gear S4 iixedly mounted onV shaft 33 adjacent bearing 31 by means of a hub S5. Thus, upon operation of motor 50 continuous rotary motion will be imparted to shaft 33 and leg portions 36, 37

land 33.

As a means of breaking up agglomerations of large imaterial, the juncture of leg portions 36, 37 and 33 on their sides remote from the mechanism 49a are provided with a circular opening 86 in which is secured a shoulder plate 87 by means of bolts 88. A motor S9 is secured to plate S7 by means of flange 9i) and bolts 91, substantially as illustrated, the drive shaft 92 of motor 29 extending through the plate 87 to the interior of leg portions 36, 37 and 38 and mounting a propeller 93. A bushing 94 surrounds shaft 92 within plate 87.

Thus, during operation of mechanism 49a and rotation of leg portions 36, 37 and 38, large agglomerations of material passing from one leg portion to the other will be broken up by the rotating propeller 93, facilitating the mixing operation. It will be noted that by unscrewing the bolts 88 that the plate S7 and motor 39 may be removed as a unit and replaced by a plain cover plate, not shown,` if so desired.

Referring now more particularly to Figfll, there is shown a still further modified form of the present invention, referred to collectively as 10b and differing from the forms 10 and 10a in the replacement of mechanisms 49 and 49a by a geneva mechanisnnreferred to collectively as 49h. A

In this form a geneva 95 is fixe'dly carried by the shaft 33, which latter in turn iixedly carries the leg portions 36, 37 and 38. TheV geneva 95 is provided with three inwardly extending, elongated slots 96 in which successively rides a pin 97, rotatably carried by a lug 98 mounted on the periphery of a continuously rotating wheel 99, this wheel being fixedly mounted on the driven shaft 100 by means of hub 101. As will be obvious from an inspection of Fig. 8, one-third of a revolution will occur as the pin 97 rides from one end of a slot 96 to the other, after which the pin 97 will leave the slot and rotate until it engages the next slot, after which the process will again be repeated. In this form, there is a relatively long cam dwell between movements of the geneva 95. The wheel 99 is provided with an arcuate cut out portion 162 permitting movement of the geneva'95.

It will be noted that by means of the hand wheel 22 the shaft 33 and associated parts may be tilted to the horizontal and retained in such tilted position during the operation of the device 10. Thus, when the apparatus is in the position of Fig. l, with the shaft 33 in a substantially horizontal position, the direction of fall of the particles will be substantially vertical from the uppermost containerV and the distance over which the particles move will be greatest in a vertical direction. In other words, the vertical position of the containers 36, 37 and 38 and the intermittent rotary motion insure a sharp drop of the mass, with a powerful action.- However, when the shaft 33 is tilted from the horizontal, it will be apparent that the containers will be inclined to the vertical and that the vertical dropping distance will decrease during operation. This more or less inclined position slows the drop of the mass, and so does the continuous motion. There is more rolling and folding and sliding than ripping apart, thereby Vpreserving delicate crystal shapes by means of a softer action, but still and always preserving the principle of successive division.

The following actions take place, in addition to the splitting'of masses: rolling, folding, tumbling and shearing of layers, all contributing to the increased efficiency of the device. Thus, the device combines an effective split stream action with a tumbling, rolling arid folding movement, resulting in a mixer of greatly increased efficiency. Y

The blending mass splits, rolls and folds during each one-third of a revolution with fewer revolutions being required to effect perfect blending, thus electing an economy of power.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood tha such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A blending device comprising three equiradially spaced containers connected at their inner ends, the inner ends of said containers being open and adapted to permit communication between the interiors of said containers, means for mounting said containers for intermittent rotary motion about an axis passing through their intersecting ends and adapted to successively move each of said containers into an upper, substantially vertical position, said mounting means comprising a rotatably mounted shaft, said containers being ixedly mounted at one end of said shaft at their inner ends, a radial column fixedly mounted on said shaft, said column being hollow and open at one side, a sun gear having an elongated sleeve on the side thereof remote from said column, and rotatably supported on said shaft, a locking disk fixedly mounted on the end of said sleeve remote from said sun gear, a second sleeve rotatably mounted on said first sleeve intermediate said sun gear and locking disk, a driven gear xedly carried by said sleeve, means imparting Y I 7 continuous'rotary motion to .said driven gear, a bearing on the face of said driven gear adjacentV said sun. gear, the vlongitudinal axis of said bearingextending parallel torsaid Vshaft,.a second shaft rotatably mounted vin said bearingandiextending beyond said bearing .at' an YendV thereof adjacent said column, a planetary gear mounted on said second shaft in mesh with said sun gear, a crank arm ixedlycarried by 'said' planetary gear, a pin rotatably 'mounted at, the end of. saidrcrank arm, said pin being disposed with thef'longitu'dinal Yaxis Ythereof substantially parallelto said .rst Vshaft and lying on the xed circle otV said sun gear, a roller mountedv at the end Vof said pin withinsaid column 4.and releasable rneans for locking'said disk in stationary position. Y

' V2. A blending device according to Vclaim 1, said re- V' leasableY means comprising a' stationary bearing member adjacent the periphery of said disk, a release pin slidably mounted withinsaid bearing member, said disk at the` periphery thereof having an opening adapted to be aligned with the `bearing member and pin Whereby'to receive the,

latter. f

3. A blending device comprising three hollow cylindrical containers in the sameplane, radially spaced at equal angles with respect to each other and connected at their inner ends, the inner ends of said container beingVV open and adapted to permit communication between the interiors of said containers,'the outer endsof said Vcontainers being closed, a removable cover on the outer end of at leastone vot' Vsaid containers and means .for mountingf'said containers causing intermittent rotary motion in a three step .cycle about an axis substantially perpendicu# lar tothe plane of the containers, each step ofthecycle consisting ofa rotation equal to one-third of'a'revolution of said .axis so as to successively rotate each of said containers into a substantially .verticalposition 4....A blending device asin claim 3 YwherebyisaidV corl-l Y tainers are stationary when in said vertical position.

L5. A blending device as in claim 4 wherein all three of theouter ends Vof said containers'hav'e.removable covers. Y

. 6. A `blendingdevice asin claim13 including means for inclining the axis of rotation of said devi'ce'at a small angle to the horizontal. .l

7.*A1blending device asin claim; 3, said. mounting means including a releasable; means for convertingV said Y kintermittent motion to continuous motion.

' 8. A blending device comprising three hollow ..cylin drical containers in the same plane, radially spaced -atV equal angles with respectlto each other andV connected at their inner ends, ther-inner ends of said container being open and adapted to permit communication between the 'interiors' of said 'containersLthe outer Vends of said.con-

.Vdrical containers in the same plane, radially spaced .at

equal angles with respect to ea'ch other and connected at their inner ends, theinner ends of said container being open and adapted to permit communication between the interiors of `said containers, the outer ends of said -containers being closed, aV removable cover at the. outer end of atleast one'of saidcontainers and means for mounting said Vcontainers Ycausing Van intermittent vrotation through said equal angles about an axis substantiallyperpendicular to the `plane of thercontainers, each container being Vsuccessively rotated tolthree stationary positions by a three step intermittent cyclic rotation of said axis, each Y 18 step of the cyclicYrotationbeing revolutionof the saidaxis. Y 10.V A blending device as lii1`claim-9Y whereinjone of said stationary positions is substantially"vertical,A e

equal to one-third oa 11. A blending device comprising Ythree'hollow dricalcontainers in the samel plane,'radiallyyspaced at Y substantially, equal angles of with `respect to 'each other and connected'to their inner.endsthe*inner}ends of said containers being openk and adapted. to permit comeV Y munication between the interiorsof said containers, Vthe Vouter ends of said'containers being closed, aY removable cover at the outer end of at least `one* of said containers and means for mounting said containers causing anfintermittent rotation through said angles about. an axis Vper-V pendicular'to the plane of the containers, each container being successively rotatedto a s ubstantially'vertical sta-` tionary position. Y Y

12. A blendingdevice comprising threehollow cylindrical containers in the same plane, vradially jspacedso that the extension ofthe centeraxis of one container will bisect the. angle formed between the center axes of the other containers and connected at their innerrends, the inner ends of said; containers being open and adapted to permit'communication between'the interiorsA of said containers, the outer. ends of said containers being closed, a removable cover at the outer end of at least onerof` said containers and means, for mounting said containersV causing a three step cyclic rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the containers, wherein each con-V tainer is successivelyv rotated to a substantially vertical stationary position and each Vstep of the cyclic Vrotation constitutes one-third of a revolution of said axis. 13. A blending device including three hollow cylindrical containers in the same plane, radially spaced so that the extension of the center axis of one container will bisect ythe angle formed between the center axes of the other containers and connected yat their inner ends, the inner ends of saidrcontainers being open andadapted to 4per- Vmit communication between the interiors of saidcontain Yers, the outerV ends of said Ycontainers. being closed,. arernovablecover'at the outer endkof atleast one of said containers and means for mounting said containerscausing a three step cyclic rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the containers, wherein each container is successively rotated to a substantially vertical .stationrary position and each step of the cyclic rotation constitutes one-third of a revolution of said axis, said mounting e means comprising'a three arm geneva iixedly mounted onV -a shaft, said contain-ers at their inner ends being xedly mounted on said shaft at one sideY thereof, .each of said arms having inwardly extending slots, a kwheel rotatably mounted adjacent said geneva, a pin carried at the periph- I ery of said wheeland adapted to ride in said inwardly exv` tending slots and means for driving. said Vwheel continuous rotary motion.

14. A blending device includlngthree hollow cylindri-` l, cal containers in the same plane, radially spaced so that theV extension of the Ycenter axis of onerco'rltainer will bisect the angle formed between theV center axes of the other Vcontainers and connectedrat their inner ends, the inner ends of said containers being open and adapted to permit communication between thelinteriorsofV saidcontainers, the

outer ends of said containers beingV closed, a removable cover at the outer end .of atleast one of said containers I andfmeans for mounting said containers causing a'three steppcyclic rotation about -an axis perpendicular totheVY plane of the containers, wherein'each container isfsuccessively rotated to a substantially vertical stationary po sition and each step of the cyclic rot-ation constitutes orle-V third ot a revolution of said axis, said containers on their s ides remote on said mounting means attheir intersecting ends having an opening, a plate removably secured with- Kin said opening, a drive shaft Vrotatably mounted'in said plate and extending into Y said containers, disintegrating means mounted on one end ofsaid sha-ft at the inside of Walla said containers and means for driving said shaft mounted on the side of said plate remote from said d-isintegrating means.

15. The method of blending masses comprising placing the masses to be mixed in containers, rotating the containers about an axis through a three step cycle so that the mass in a vertically positioned container will fall downward, ldividing itself into the other two containers, rotating the containers so that once during the three step cycle each container will be in the vertical position to release its mass and so that twice during the three step cycle each container Will 'be in a position to receive the mass being released, repeating the three step cycle so as to con- -tinuously redivide and recombine the masses so formed `whereby to approach a perfect blend.

16. A blending device, according to claim 8, said containers on their sides remote from said mounting means at their intersecting ends having an opening, a plate removably secured Within said opening, a drive shaft rotata- 'bly mounted in said plate and extending into said containers, disintegrating means mounted on one end of said 1@ shaft at the inside of said containers, and means for driving said shaft mounted on the side of said plate remote from said disintegrating means.

17. A blending device according to claim 5, said mounting means comprising a three-armed geneva fixedly mounted on a shaft, said containers at their inner ends being xedly mounted on said shaft at one side thereof, each of said arms having inwardly extending slots, a Wheel rotatably mounted adjacent said geneva, a pin carried at the periphery of said Wheel and adapted to ride in said inwardly extending slots, and means for driving said wheel With a continuous rotary motion.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 944,127 Dornfeld Dec. 21, 1909 2,494,118 Essick Jan. 10, 1950 2,618,471 Weegham Nov. 18, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 168,729 Great Britain Sept. 15, 1921 

